Reiss L.A.: An evening of British fashion and art

Our beautiful store on Robertson Boulevard, L.A. was host to a private cocktail party last week celebrating British fashion and art.

A whole raft of Brits co-hosted the event, including; Annabelle Wallis, Carly Steel, Emma Greenwell, Danny Huston, Debra Reiss, Emma Holly Jones, Erin Richards, Lyn Winter, Lucy Halperin, Matthew Garrahan, Neil Rodgers, Nikki Pennie, Tara Summers and Tobias Keene.

The evening was a sophisticated blend of great British style courtesy of Reiss (as sported by many of the guests) and an art installation by British artist, Tobias Keene.

Guests sipped on thoroughly British G&Ts, nibbled delicious canapes and enjoyed music by DJ Rawdon.

Oxley gin

Stylish guests

Reiss, Robertson Boulevard, L.A.

Emma Greenwell wears our Kana dress

Alex Beh and guests

Tara Summers, Emma Greenwell and Shanola Hampton

Tobias Keene and his artwork

Sheila Shah and Carly Steel

Nikki Pennie, Rachel Zallis and guest

Oliver and Jamie Phelps

Party in full swing

ESSENTIAL STYLE TIP

THE RETURN of the TURN-UP

WILKES mixer suit (turn-ups)

WILKES Blazer & WILKES Trousers (blue)

Are turn-ups cool again?

Style dictates a re-emergence of the old 80′s classic detail. Remember, the re-vamped modern double-breasted jacket has returned, shorter, sleeker with fresh appeal. So it would seem only natural for trouser hems to receive similar retro return appeal.

Take note, turn-ups can make a suit look less formal and turn-ups has a tendency to shorten the apparent length of the leg to the eye; shorter guys should avoid this trend. In this case stick to clean, unbroken lines and focus on proportion. Clean lines create the feeling of length and elegance.

Turn-ups are a very much a style staple and remember major European brands have always shown a commitment to this sartorial detail and to most it never really went away. Whether you keep this look classic, by pairing with a classic shirt and tie combo or push things a little by cropping your trousers slightly and tapering the trouser leg to a faltering slim fit, this versatile detail has guaranteed sharp appeal.

Timeless and flattering, I would advise at least one turn-up piece in your sartorial armoire. You won’t regret it…

Top 10 iconic weddings

We all love a good wedding and as it’s the one year anniversary of the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William today, we couldn’t resist a round-up of our favourite nuptials ever.

From Princess fairytale to rock ‘n’ roll cool; the dress, the flowers, the hair – it’s the ultimate style statement. Not to mention the party afterwards.

The Kennedys

Marrying the future president of the United States on September 12th 1953, Jackie Kennedy looked radiant in an Ann Lowe gown, and John cuts a dashing figure in his traditional morning dress and jaunty pocket square too. We love these candid shots of the pair at their reception in Newport, Rhode Island.

The Kennedys

Grace Kelly

Surely one of the most breathtaking brides ever, Grace Kelly looked stunning when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco in April 1956. Her Helen Rose gown comprised over over 100 yards of silk net, 25 yards of silk taffeta and century-old lace.

Grace Kelly

Elizabeth and Richard

It was the affair that rocked the vatican, which developed into one of the world’s most watched relationships, marriages and divorces. Elizabeth Taylor first married Richard Burton in March 1964, divorced him in 1974 only to re-marry in October 1975 and divorce again in July 1976.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton

Elvis and Priscilla

May 1st 1967 was host to one of our favourite ever rock ‘n’ roll weddings. When Elvis wed Priscilla in Las Vegas she looked cool as a Mod bride, and he was suitably ‘Elvis’ in a paisley silk brocade suit and very impressive quiff.

Elvis and Priscilla

Audrey Hepburn and Andrea Dotti

Only Audrey Hepburn could out-do Priscilla in the Mod-stakes. The gamine beauty wore a turtle neck mini dress with matching hood and minimalist bouquet when she married Andrea Dotti on January 16th 1969. We love her laidback approach to bridal dressing.

Yoko Ono and John Lennon

In the same year, on March 20th, John Lennon married Yoko Ono in Gibraltar. They honeymooned in Amsterdam with their first week-long Bed-In For Peace. Cool and iconic, we love their bohemian look. Not many brides can pull-off a mini dress, lampshade hat and knee-high socks, but somehow, Yoko can.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana

The wedding that boasts surely one of the most iconic wedding dresses of all time, Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles on July 29th 1981. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, this romantic, puffy, OTT dress was made up of antique lace, ivory silk taffeta and thousands of pearls and sequins.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles

Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love married on Waikiki beach, Hawaii in 1992. He wore checked pyjamas because he was too lazy to change into a tux and she wore a vintage lace dress previously owned by actress France Farmer. The flowers were perfectly tropical and we’re sure the party was stuff of legends.

Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William

One of the country’s most anticipated weddings and one that we certainly loved every moment of, Kate and Wills married one year ago today. The Alexander McQueen dress wowed as did Kate’s sister, Pippa, in a sexy Temperley number. And, who could forget that balcony kiss – so sweet.

Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William

Kate Moss and Jamie Hince

The world’s most famous supermodel, Kate Moss, married Jamie Hince on July 11th 2011. Kate wore a Twenties-style dress designed by her close friend John Galliano and a custom-made pair of Manolo Blanhiks with a blue sole for her ‘something blue’. Jamie wore a daring powder blue YSL suit and the obligatory rock ‘n’ roll sunglasses. With 15 bridesmaids and a three-day reception at her Cotswolds home, it’s surely one of the coolest weddings of all time?

Kate Moss and Jamie Hince

DECEIVINGLY PALATABLE

RESTAURANT – LA BODEGA NEGRA

La Botega Negra (1)

If your free this weekend hidden away within the back streets of busy Soho, the new restaurant La Bodega Negra, at 9 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 5JF is causing quite a stir. But what you’ll find amongst the hordes of cafes and other pandering establishments is the illuminated evocative entrance to a sleazy Soho ‘Sex Shop’. We advise you venture closer and step inside because you’ll be rewarded with one of the most talked about eating hangouts in London.

La Botega Negra (2)

Owned by NY-based restaurateur Serge Becker, who was behind the success of La Esquina over the Atlantic. La Bodega Negra would seem to continue the same successful recipe (Mexican) and is worth the worship to the restrictive policy of ‘reservations-only’ but once inside you’ll receive as much a bar, hangout and popular nightspot as just a restaurant. We recommend the headache and you get to feel just a little bit sinful too…

La Botega Negra

Dress Up Friday in the rain

Not ones to let a few rain drops get in the way of our Dress Up Fridays, we haven’t been put off by the recent April showers.

From raincoats to hats and cute umbrellas, it’s possible to dress up and cut a stylish figure in the rain. Don’t be put off, just be prepared for all eventualities – whatever the weather.

Follow us on Twitter @Reiss #DressUpFriday and on Instagram @ReissFashion for more of our dressed up looks.

Splash proof Watcher jacket

Our VM Paul models our splash proof Watcher jacket.

Shelter from the showers

Shelter from the showers in our stylish Ava hat.

April Shower Essentials

Don’t leave the house without your shower essentials.

Protect your jacket

Protect your Marli leather jacket with a pretty pagoda.

Polka dot brolly

A polka dot brolly keeps rain spots at bay.

Be prepared!

Come rain or shine be sartorially prepared.

Hanging up our brolly

We’re hanging up our brolly for today.

Have a great weekend.

SANTA MONICA DREAMING

Santa Monica beach

Rainy weather makes us dream of past escapes. We have had many wonderful experiences during our explorations away in Los Angeles this season.

If only we could be back amongst the warming weather of Santa Monica Pier and the sun splashed coastline beyond the famous amusement park. Originally built in 1909, the Santa Monica Pier, which is just west of LA, and is home to one of the most popular and well known beach scenes.

We are talking Hollywood meets beach chic with a hint of American hippie appeal. This all goes to inspire our beach shorts this season, standout beachwear is a holiday essential no matter how far flung our final destination.

Santa Monica also contains a profusion of great restaurants and excellent nightlife spots. The beachfront has a reputation as some of the best in the world (remember Baywatch); the beach’s most unique feature is its pier, with thrill rides of Pacific Park and most creative street performances on view.

Lets wish for warmer weather as we dream of walking along that wonderful Santa Monica Pier in our summer shorts and tees inspired to make for route 66…

Santa Monica (steps)

Santa Monica (skate & bike)

Santa Monica (ride 2)

Santa Monica (ride)

SANTA MONICA PIER (metal frame in shadow)

Santa Monica Route 66

Inspiration: Botanical beauty

The London skies are grey and April showers are in full swing, which has timed out somewhat imperfectly for the arrival of our hottest, exotic, most tropical prints of the season…

However, we won’t allow our spirits to be dampened by these downpours, and have taken this opportunity to remind ourselves of the hot house inspiration we garnered from our visit to Huntington Gardens in L.A.

With over 120 acres of more than 14,000 different types of plants in Japanese, Chinese, palm, desert and jungle gardens, it’s impossible not be romanced by this breathtaking and peaceful botanical oasis.

Colourful blooms and tropical plams which originate from far-flung destinations like Mexico, South America and South Africa  all mirror our nature-inspired prints.

If you too, are feeling somewhat uninspired by our current climate, take a tropical break and transport yourself to Huntington. It’s sure to reignite your love for all things bright and beautiful.

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Huntington Gardens

Feeling hotter already.

Teri Hatcher wears Reiss

US actress and Desperate Housewives’ star, Teri Hatcher, wore our Luxe dress last week as she took part in the 2012 NAB convention as a guest speaker.

We think Teri looks amazing in this bodycon style which is figure-hugging yet  flattering and perfect for the occasion.

Teri Htacher wears our Luxe dress

OFF the SHOPFLOOR – New Arrivals

As part of our Off the SHOPFLOOR feature this week we thought that we should present some of the new additions. Even though we’ve been having a slow start to the summer gayety, there are some new big hitters arriving near you to set-off the festivity with a touch of seasonal sartorialism.

IRVING B (pink)
IRVING Blazer (pink)

LYNDON paisley print scarf (rust)

BOYD diamond print pocket square (navy)

HEN crew neck jumper (blue)

BAPTISTE casual trouser (putty)

From the distinguished pink hue to the stylish one-button design, this new arrival reminds us why summer heralds a change in colour palettes and attitude. We suggest you pack this unique cover-up in with your holiday favorites to slip on at sunset for those smarter evenings away.

Monaco (light grey)
MONACO blazer (light-grey)

RADLEY v-neck jumper (yellow)

BARROW diamond print tie (navy)

ARROW linen shirt (pink)

YACHT linen pocket square (navy)

DUSK chinos (grey)

Summer also brings the neutral hue jackets back to prominence too; this light grey new cotton version is a must. With a more than a hint of sophistication, it embodies the on-trend preppy approach to this seasons dressing and the fit is bang-on.

HEN crew neck (blue/red)
HEN crew neck jumper (blue & red)

These stylish cotton sweaters are a sophisticated way to add colour to your wardrobe this summer. Versatile knitwear is essential for achieving a more relaxed cool while away from work. Layer either of these over a classic white T-shirt or try linking up with your favourite jeans.

WESTLEY (grey)

WESTLEY wool and linen suit

ARROW linen shirt (pink)

REGION floral print (midnight)

CULROSS check pocket square (coral)

 

FRASIER wool and linen suit

DECK short sleeve linen shirt (pale blue)

CULROSS check pocket square (charcoal)

HARP geo print scarf (navy)

FRAZIER (blue)

These suits shape more than just a sophisticated summer silhouette. Both are lightweight and easy to wear, their look is the in-demand take on warm-weather tailoring this season. Appropriate for that warm office or more formal occasions abroad. Their colour and texture will set you aside at that formal meeting or addressing your guests while you deliver the best man speech.

All these items live on the Reiss shopfloor and with a small amount of sartorial consideration will add something extra to every male wardrobe.

Me and my handbag

Me: Aarti, e-Store Manager
My handbag: Allen large shopper bag in caramel
Why I love it: “This handbag is big enough to fit my whole life in it. I love the summery tan colour which tones in so well with my wardrobe favourites and there’s plenty of space to squeeze in an extra pair of heels”.

Aarti's Allen bag

Me: Nat, Digital Marketing Executive
My handbag: Vida weave bag in silver
Why I love it: “The metallic tones of this style will easily take me from day-to-night and the weaved leather perfectly matches my purse. I also love the generous everyday size and the handy zip pockets too”.

Nat's Vida bag

Me: Poppy, UK Marketing Manager
My handbag: Barton hand held satchel in light grey
Why I love it: “I love this cute style as it’s a great inbetween-y size which is pefect for everyday. The colour is so summery and stylish and I love the retro styling”.

Poppy's Barton bag

Me: Claire, ECRM Co-ordinator
My handbag: Chiltern weave lock satchel in black
Why I love it: “I really like the textured weave leather of this style and its stylish features. It’s a great size and as a lockable satchel it’s perfect for my cycle to work”.

Claire's Chiltern bag